Find a Mentor
Have questions? There’s a mentor for that.
Are you feeling a little anxious about starting first year? Do you have a ton of questions about what life is like at Innis? No need to worry, as you’re now officially an Innis mentee and part of The Insider, the Innis first-year mentorship program. You’ll be matched with an upper-year student mentor who’s been there, done that, and wants to help make your first year the best it can be.
We also have a one-to-one alumni mentorship program that pairs Innis students with alumni working in a broad range of careers. And there are other alumni mentorship opportunities for you: Innis hosts dinners throughout the year in which students share a meal and conversation with guest alumni working in various fields: you’ll receive more information throughout the year on this and other events.
You’re automatically an Insider with Innis’s first-year mentorship program
As an incoming Innis College student, you’re automatically enrolled in The Insider. You’ll be matched with an upper-year student mentor — most likely in your program — who will help you with the transition to university life.
Why is it great to be an Insider?
- You’ll receive the inside scoop on what life is like at Innis
- You’ll find out about course selection; how to get involved in activities; orientation; budgeting; residence; and pretty much anything you can think of related to life on campus
- You’ll get to know your e-mentor well before you start classes, so you’re already on your way to building a community of friends and discovering all the guidance and support Innis has to offer
- You’ll meet other students through Insider get-togethers
How The Insider works
- In June before the fall term you’ll receive an introductory email from an upper-year Innis student mentor
- Every week or two after that, you’ll receive an email from your mentor that addresses a different aspect of university life (everything from academics to how to sign up for clubs)
- Contact your mentor anytime throughout the summer to ask questions you may have
- During Innis’s Orientation Week, in early September, your mentor will also be your group leader.
- From September to the following April, you will continue connecting with your Insider mentor
- You’ll also receive information on virtual hangouts, social meet-ups, and sessions hosted by Kelly Curran, Innis’s student life coordinator
Questions? Contact us
If you have questions, or want to find out more about The Insider program, please e-mail emp.innis@utoronto.ca.
Would you like to be a mentor?
- Are you an upper-year Innis College Student?
- Would you like to pass along the advice you wish you had received in first year?
- Do you want to be a role model for new students while connecting with other like-minded peer mentors?
Are you an upper-year student interested in gaining valuable career and life insights from a member of the Innis alumni-and-friends community?
The Innis Alumni Mentorship Program matches you — a mentee — with an Innis alum — your mentor — to forge what could potentially be one of the most significant relationships of your university experience.
- Explore careers or fields of interest with your mentor
- Practice your professional and personal skills
- Gain wisdom from someone with experience in the work world
- Discuss views on life, work, and mutual interests
- Be eligible for co-curricular validation
Learn about the Alumni Mentorship program from student-mentee, Francisca, and her alumni-mentor, Jim
Who will be my mentor?
Your mentor will either be an Innis, Cinema Studies, Urban Studies, or Writing & Rhetoric alum, or a friend of Innis College. Mentors in the program work in many different fields, including medicine, law, media, education, film production, community development, and many other diverse fields. You’ll be paired based on your stated career, academic, and personal goals.
A new branch of our program pairs Black students with Black alumni. Sign up for this Black Alumni Mentorship Program when registering.
What are the criteria for my admission to the program?
We base admission on your demonstrated commitment and desire to benefit from the program. You’ll also be expected to meet with your alumni mentor at least once a month, and participate in other mentorship activities.
Want to apply?
If you’re interested in becoming a student mentee in the Innis Alumni Mentorship Program, complete the registration form here.
Innis Alumni Mentorship Handbook (for mentees)
If you’re a student mentee in the Innis Alumni Mentorship Program, the Innis Mentorship Handbook has all the info you need, including important dates, conduct guidelines, and goals.